Automatic billet stamper



Dec. 5, 1950 L.. A. DAILEY ET AL AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March '7, 1947 L. A. DAlLEY ETAL 4 AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER Dec. 5, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1947 Dec. 5, 1950 L. A. DAILEY r-:TAL

AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER Filed March 7, 1947 6 .Sheets-Sheet 4 pda/ bmw Dec. 5, 1950 L. A. DAILr-:Y ET AL.

AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 7, 1947 Dec. 5, 1950 l.. A. DAILEY ET AL 2,532,540

AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER Filed March 7, 1947 e sheets-sheet 6 l .......u'l'm-1'I'I "Il un Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE AUTOMATIC BILLET STAMPER Lawrence A. Dailey, Elizabeth, and Ernest A. Erickson, Clairton, Pa.

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to an automatic billet stamper adapted to forcibly and unfailingly imprint in the upright end faces of billets suitable identifying numbers or characters regardless of irregularities in said end faces or the angular dispositions thereof.

One object of the invention is to provide power actuated means effective to stamp a group of identifying characters on the respective rear end face of bars, billets or similar objects while they are being fed lengthwise by a travelling conveyor without interrupting the travel or materially effecting the speed of billet travel to any material extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multi hammer arrangement comprising individual hammer elements for each stamp or type face so that each stamp will continue in motion until stopped by penetration thereof into the end surface of the billet being marked.

A further object is to provide means to compensate for variations of the angular disposition of the end faces of bars or billets to be stamped.

Another object is to provide a stamp holder which is pivotally secured to a swingable carrier so as to permit the stamp holder to adjust itself until square contact is made between the working face of the stamp and the end face of the billet.

Another object is to provide a iloatingly supported billet guide so related to the stamping mechanism that the guide will follow upward and lateral irregularities of the passing slightly crooked billet for the purpose of centering the rear end area of the billet in proper relation to the stamp holder at the time the imprinting blow is applied.

A further object is to construct the various instrumentalities, hereinafter described in detail, so that they individually and collectively perform the individual and cooperating functions herein set forth.

For a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the novel features of our improvements reference should be made to the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the work-exit end of. the apparatus, viewed from the right side of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on line IV--IV of Figure 3; p

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line. V--V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a similar horizontal section in a,

2 plane below Figure 5 as indicated by section line VI-VI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the floating stamping unit and illustrating the common pivotal mounting for the stamp carrier and the multi-hammers for striking individual blows to the individual stamps;

Figure 8 is a detail View of the stamp holder showing its pivotal mounting on the free end of the swingable carrier and illustrating the action of the concaved end edge of one of the multi-hammers coacting with the convex end face of one of the stamps;

Figure 9 is an end elevation of a portion of the floating stamping unit as viewed from the right of Figures l and 7; and

Figure 10 is a detail View of the suspension means for the floating stamping unit showing the hanger links and the shock absorbing supporting means therefore.

Figure 1l is an enlarged detail View, partly in longitudinal section, of one of the pair of connecting rods used for transmitting motion from the piston rod to rock the pivotally mounted stamp carrier.

Referring in detail to the drawings lil-i0 represents fixed side rails of a conventional form of conveyor, including flanged rollers I2 journalled in the side rails and supporting the upper run of travelling conveyor chains i4 which are adapted to propel billets or other wor zpieces, such as indicated at W, in the direction of the arrows in Figure l.

The chief purpose of the herein described apparatus is to apply an identifying heat number on the trailing end face w of a billet or other workpiece W and to unfailingly imprint the heat numbers on such trailing end face regardless of irregular?4 ies in the end surface or of the angular disposition of the end face due to inaccuracies in shearing the billet or due to warping of the same due to rolling or variations of temperature.

The apparatus illustrated includes a stationary framework consisting of lower angle bars I6 ixedly secured to the side rails Il) of the fixed conveyor frame. Rising from each of the side bars I6 there are fixed front uprights I8 and rear uprights 20. Spanning the space between the uprights I8 and 28 there are secured upper side bars 22.

Bridging the space between rear uprights 20 there is a tranverse plate 24 to which is secured a cylinder 26 containing a piston 28 for reciprocating a rod 3U which in turn reciprocates a crosshead 32 travelling on a guide 34 secured to the plate Z4.

Apin 36 in the crosshead 32 is connected with universal joints 38 which in turn are connected by Pins 4D with. connecting rods 42. which can?? adjusting nuts 44 for Vcoaction with sleeve members 4E, best shown in Figure 1l, working in shock absorber casings '53 which contain compression springs 5d. The springs 5d react against a collar loose on the rod Ilz; and bearing againstrthe sleeve A reduced portion 5d of each rod 42 is surrounded by a casing enclosing a shock absorbing spring 58, this spring reacting against a collar 5) and a sleeve 62 which reacts against adjusting nuts Se to permit varying the cushioning action of the spring. The nuts 52 bear against washers i515 which engage the sleeve 52 whose inner end abuts the collar Sii freely slidableon the r-od extension 5d.

he casings 3S and 5t carry upstanding lugs 'E l and 'l2 which receive the oppositey ends of a rod 'ill surrounded by a compression` spring 1 6. One end of the rod lf!- may be pinned to lug 'd'2 and thev opposite end may slide freelyv in the lug 'iii s o as to keep` the parts yieldingly centered.

The reduced portions 5d of the parallel connecting rods d2 penetrate the opposite extremities 'i8 of a crank pin 3d, said rods passing through sleeves 82 secured to. the crank pin by suitable s et screws, as shown in Figure 1l. The crank pin il@ as best shown in Figures 4l and 7, is mounted in a crank extension arm 3d of a curved stamp carrier 3d, which in turn is mounted for swinging movementv about the axis of a shaft 8B supported by floating guide frame members 9723, which are suspended from links 52 (Figures 3. and 10) whose upper ends are connected by pins 94 with rods 9E each carrying aY collar 98 for coaction with shock absorbing springs lill! contained in casings H32 secured to a fixed part ofthe frame structure, as shown in Figure l0. Near itsupper extremity each rod et has threaded thereon a nut lofi for adjusting a member lil@ which bears against the upper spring lill?. The structure as thus arranged provides a floating support which will permit limited floating movement of the oating stamping unit both up and down and in a direction transverse to the line of travel of the billet. Such heating stamping unit properly coordinates the mechanism with that of billet engaging guides later described which in turn operatively coact to insure centering the stamps with the central region of the end face of, the

Y einer.

Spaced below the shaft 38 and also mounted in the floating frame 9d there is a second shaft li. The shafts 36 M33 carry respective rollers 33a and 0811 which are guided in respective vertical slots l lli (Figures l, 4 and 9) formed inthe iixed upright members i3.

The floating frame 9G has iixedly secured thereto plates M2 (Figures-4 and 9) formed with arcuate slots iid theren through which extend the outer extremities of the crank pins du, which pins,v it will be remembered, are provided with the sleeves 52 (Figure 11) which are pierced by the rcd extensions of the connecting rods l2 which in turn are connected through the universal joints 3S with the crosshead 32 reciprocated by the piston 23, As, thus arranged, it will be apparent that when air is admitted tothe left end or" the cylinder El@ (Figure i) that piston 28 acting through the rods d2 will. swing the; crankl pin from the ull line position of Figurev '7 tov the dot j ine position shown., thus rocking the4 stampcarrier about the axis ci shaft Ed.

Near its lower extremity the stamp carrierv @Si has pin liti secured therein forming a pivotal mounting or'a stamp holder |55 having a guide slot il@ Clt, therein for slidably supporting-Y: a-

plurality of stamps |20 in a manner to permit them to move independently of one another. Each stamp is provided with a cut-out recess E22, best shown in Figure 8y tot Coaction With a removable keeper pin |24 which is adapted to facilitate the insertion and removal of individual stamps so as to change the identifying numerals to correspond to different heats of steel from which the billets or other Workpieces W are produced, itI being: remembered that the apparatus of this-invention is designedly intended for impressing identifying characteristics on the end faces of; billets orsimilar metal workpieces.

In thel embodiment of the invention illustrated there are, as best shown in Figure 9, six individual stamps lill, although this number, of course. can be, varied to` suit requirements., Coacting with each individual' stamp |26 there is an individual multi-hammer |278. Therefore, in the embodiment shown, there are six such.V multi-hammers. They are pivotally supported for swingingv movement about the axis of the shaft 88. The edges of' the lower extremities oi the hammers are providedv with convex striker portions |23` for coact'onrwith the rounded extremities |39 of the` stamps |2il.A To1 prevent overturning of the stamp holder the same is provided with a` lug |32 adapted; to coact with, an abutment |311! fixed to the stamp carrier 85. Adjacent the crank portion of the stamp carrier I provide an adjustable plate |36, best shown in Figure 7, pivoted on a pin |38 and normally pulled upwardly by a rod- |40 extending through an. aperture in plate |35. and having a head |421 engaging the under side. of plate |35; At itsupper end. the rod |43 carries an adjusting nut ldd' against which a spring M6 reacts. Thus the, springAv tends-to rock the plate ist ulvvardly.` The upward movement of the plate is limited by an adjustable stop screw |118 threaded in a boss I'Eilr extending from transverse web |5| forming part of the stamp carrier 86,. Securedto the plateA |35` there is a bar |53. which bears onallof the hammers |25.

The supply of motive iiuid, such as compressed air or the like, to the cylinder 26 is under control of a four-way valve |52 (Figure 1) which is arranged to be automatically actuated by the oncoming, billet or other workpiecev W movingV in the direction of the arrows in, Figure 1. To effect automatic control of the valve andy as a result to cause the automatic actuation of the stamping mechanism,I I provide a, Slipper |54. which is pivoted4 to a pin |561 secured to the extremity of a lever |58 carried by a shaft lliv-.mounted'in a A bracket |2 secured toy a xed strut IMV forming part of the framework of the apparatus, A. fixed locking plate L66 is provided with a plurality of holes i583 for coatol, with a locking pin Il@ passing through a Suitable aperture in. a'manually operable adjusting lever |72, by means of which the elevation of the slipper |513 may be adjusted so as to set the same for ccas-tion with billets or -workpieces of different heights.

When an oncoming billet or workpiece W Y strikes the lower extremity of the slipper |54, it is adapted; to rock the sameabout itsV pivot |56; This rocking motion is transmitted, to avrod II'M which ispin-connected at |78 to a suitable lugY on the slipper,Y the other end of this rod carrying acollarA |18: havingV a pin connection |80;

with a'bellcrank |82 pivoted' at |84 to a fixed bracket secured to an upper transverse frame member. The-rod |74 carries a lower collar IBGV and there is. a spring |88- interposed between theV collars` |;85i and. |.'l8.so as to cushion the action of the oncoming billet. The bell crank |82 is pinconnected at |86 with a collar |88 secured to a rod |90 which is connected by a pin |92 to a lever |94 adapted to operate the four-Way valve |52 previously referred to. The leading end of the billet W will, through the connections described, rock the valve operating lever |94 in counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 1, thereby compressing a spring |96 against a boss of a guide bracket |98 through which the rod |90 extends. After the billet has passed beyond the slipper |54, the previously compressed spring |96 will return the parts to the position shown in Figure 1.

As the leading end of the billet W approaches the stamping mechanism, the stamp carrier 86 and the multi-hammers |26, previously referred to, will have been rotated upwardly about the axis of shaft 88.

The floating guide frame 90 at its lower portion, (Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6) includes a bellmouthed guide, indicated as a whole at 200. This guide includes a downwardly inclined top portion 202, best shown at Figure 4, and converging side portions 204, best shown in Figures 5 and 6. The function of this bell-mouthed guide is to insure that the floating stamp mechanism as a whole is properly lined up with the end of the billet on which the stamps are to impress the identifying characteristics or to approximately center the stamped heat number in the central region of the trailing upright end face of the billet. In this connection it is to be understood that it is desirable that the apparatus shall be readily adjusted to suit billets of different widths. For this reason I provide the adjustable side guides 206, best shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the top guide roller 208, best shown in Figures 3 and 4. The side guides are carried by upright shafts 2|0 and said guides 206 in elect constitute movable extensions of the converging walls 204 of the bell-mouthed guide as will be apparent from Figure 6. The guides 206 are adapted to be shifted from the full line position of Figure 6 where they are shown in proper adjustment for the billet W--l of minimum width or to the dotted position where they are adjusted for properly guiding billets of the maximum width indicated at W-Z. For simultaneously adjusting both side members 286 and the top guide roller 208 I provide a hand lever 2| 2 (Figure 4) secured to a rock shaft 2 I4 mounted in suitable bearings 2 I6. This shaft has secured about midway of its ends the hub of a lever 2|8 which carries a stub shaft 220 on which the top guide roller 208 is journalled. Near its ends the shaft 2 l 0 carries spiral gears 22| which mesh with similar gears 222 secured to the upper extremities of the shafts 2 l0 on which side guides 266 are mounted. A locking plate 224 is provided with a plurality of apertures 226, any one of which is adapted to coact with a locking pin 228 engaging a suitable aperture in the adjusting lever 2|2. Thus, by inserting the 4pin 228 in the appropriate aperture 226 the side guides 266 and the top guide 208 may be simultaneously set to properly guide the billets in a path centered with respect to the center line of the group of stamps carried by the stamp holder ||6.

1n the operation of the stamping apparatus constructed and arranged as above described, it will be apparent that as the billet W travels in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1, the leading end of the billet will rock the slipper |54 about its pivotal support |56, thus transmitting motion'through the rod |14 and bell crank |82 to the valve-operating lever |94, thereby admitting compressed air through the supply pipes shown in Figure 1 to the left end of the cylinder '26. This will cause piston 28 to shift the crosshead 32 thus transmitting motion through the connecting rods 42 to. the crank pin 80 thereby rocking the stamp carrier 86 upwardly about the axis of shaft 88. During this upward motion plates 81 carried by the member 88 will contact the freely pivoted multi-hammer elements |26 and thus raise them until they engage the aligning bar |53. As the trailing end of the traveling billet W passes beyond the slipper |54, the same will drop approximately to the position of Figure 1, thus shifting the operating lever |58 of the four-way valve to the position of Figure 1 thereby shifting the crosshead 32 to the left, thus quickly rocking the stamp carrier to the position of Figure 1 whereupon the freely hung multi-hammers due to the inertia of the moving parts each strike an individual forcible blow to each individual stamp |20 thereby causing the type face of each stamp to penetrate into the surface of the trailing upright end face of the billet to a uniform extent in spite of the fact that the end :face may not be truly perpendicular to the line of travel of the billet. This desirable result is attainable by the use of the multi-hammers |26 striking the individual stamps which are relatively moveable with respect to one another in the stamp holder ||6. It will also be apparent that because of the bell-mouthed formation of the member 204 and the provision of the adjustable side guides 206 and the top guide 208 that the parts may be adjusted to accurately line up the stamps for the proper centering of the identifying numbers on the end faces of billets of varying widths, this contact is made by the stamps with any angular end face which may deviate from a true vertical plane, thus compensating for variations in the angular disposition of the trailing end face of the billet to be stamped. In other words, when the stamps come in contact with the work to be marked, the holder will rock and adjust itself so that the line of motion of the stamps will be approximately truely perpendicular to the face of the billet to be marked. .In this connection it is also to be noted that the concave face |28 of each multi-hammer is such that even though there is considerable rocking motion of the stamp holder I6 about its pivot .pin ||5, the multihammers will strike square blows on the rounded rear faces |30 of all the individual stamps (Figure 8). The floating supports for the bar guide combined with the stamping mechanism shown and described provides a combination of parts which will follow up and down as well as the sidewise movements of the passing billet, which results in properly centering the rear end area of the billet with respect to the location of thegroup of marking stamps carried by the stamp holder at the instant the impact is applied to the stamps by the multi-hammers.

The capacity and free length of the balancing springs shown in Figure 11 are determined by the the sta 7.. loadv to. be carried anet` from 'the maximum. lift.' which; the.V hammer unit. will; eventually receivefrom a. billet with badly bent ends Tocut down;- theresistance and. uplift, the` springs. o` Figure. 1l: should. balance the full load. at the peint of. the extreme position. o the sta-raping and the billet. guides. This proportioning of the bale.. ancehas the definite purpose oi retaining sume.. cient balancing. power at the eredi off. the stamp- Y ina mechanism, yet to. balance.- the Whole-loadY thereof in order. to secure. a swift return. speed of thestamping mechanism on the Way: down. While-the. compressed. ail-or other motor'iiuidihas; been.. shovvnas most suitable fer poweringv the. stamp-ingmechanrs1-fn` illustrated; other drive 15- means' such as. electr-lcmotor thrusters or sole.` noids can beleiployed it desired.

The hinged or pivctallymounted-plate itil", de. scribedprincipallyy in connection. e-igure. 7, proa vides meansv foi-universal adjustment ofthelag. im

ging motion ofthe multi-hammer laminations. A- laggingmotion. at the down stroke is consideA ered desirable since it more readilqz.- permits the stamping head and' stamps toadjust themselves* to, the proper position with relation tothe end faceof the billet bei-oreA the inal bloivfrom the ham-merels applied.

The. notched: arrangement ofthe. individual'.- stamp showni-n- Figur-e- 8 held in place by. the keepery l-Zll is desirable because it facilitates thechang-ingl of stamps to. suit different heat numbersn erV other identifications. At time ot such cha-nge, itV isinerel-y necessaryto-Withdraw the-keeper pin -Zl laterally to the. right in- Figure 9, andto free one or more oi the stamps i253-, whereupon nevv stamps can be substituted and; the 1ieeeper` pinreplacedto the positicn in. Figures Si 9. This pin i212. wil-l preferablyhave a few threads at i-ts end so-as topreven-t the same from being displaced by the motion oithe stampi-ng unit asa Whole, but when sta areto.V be changed or-replaeedl, the pin can be-read-ily removed by. givingthe same a few turns and then pulling it tothe right in Figure-9;

The stamping unit described be a full-heating sub-assem ly since the over-- head link-s and related parts from which it issuseended per-mit it toshiftlaterallyso as to take` care o crooked billets; as viewed in elan, it beingr apparent that due-to the fact that the belimouth guide and tL cside guides 2&6, associated` therewith, contacting the side-fases ofthe-billet,

as viewediin plan, will shift thesub-asseinbly Voiinstrumental-ities laterally at this time-recitingt-he sub-assemhlyabeut the-links Q2; Sinee these links are suspended from-ther-ods Se: whichare--connected thi-'ouah the-shock absorb--V ing springs lti, it is apparent that iffthe billet. iscro red-g asvievved in-sideeleva-tion, or in-othenV Words,v has upwar-dly.l va-rped or inclinetlportiens,

' the-stainpingunit as a whole-vult beiree to nieve upwardly so as to. take cafe off such billetirreg i -lea-ting cha. aotel lari-ties. 1See-cause oithei. istics of thesuc-asse iblage. coi Litu-ting theiioa-tingstamping unit, itis r--fitageousf.teL 515 tran-sm motion the powei care of irregularities in the billet, such as.crool.

eolness as viewed either in toA plan or. in side elevation; Regardless of such-.crookednessat the 'taneouslyfshiting all 'th-ree` of said guiding menitime. of the impact; of the stampsthe-lattee will; be sopositioned-thatithe identifying imprint conf. stitutingf several: letters: or figures. will' be quite accuratelyv centered'. on the` upright; end face of the biiietand. a-

square blow: willibe imparted to eac-hl stampby the individual hammers, thus. unfai-linghz. causing all the stamps tdmake ima. prin-ts to. substantiallyv the same depth, regarde. lese or irregularities o the en d: face of'thebillet or variations. in the angular disposition of'Y the. end-'area ofthe-end face.

Although we haveA descriloedi a preferred com. struction. and;v arrangement of; ceoperating-v parts which are believed to eiectively solve the prob. lez-n of effectively.V and. unai-lingly.V impressing identiiying.A characteristicsin the. ends of' either rough. irregular.v square4 or non-square ended` bib. lets, it is to be understood. that. the drawings,andy descriptive matter are to be interpreted in. anillustrativeratherthan a limiting sense andI that various-modifications and-substituticns of equiv.-Y alents be. made-by. those skilledlin theAv art: v-ithoutdeparture from the. invention as de-iinedin. the appended. claims;

We claim:

1. An apparat-us for impressing identifying characters-to ari-uprightend face ofa billet, comprising a conveyor for moving the'. billet endwise, a floatinglvmcunteelfu t carrying stamps-adapted toimpress identifyingcharacters in the end aceoff a billeton sa-idconveyor, hammermeans mounted er: said unit for actuatingsaid stamps;

forming part ofsaid'unit for centering said unit relative to the free endof said bil-let, said; guiding; meansincluding a bellmouthedmeng'ber and laterally adjustable billet engaging members, means fcrsim-u1tane'ously` shiftingthe latter to suit billets 0i different sizes so that the stamps Will'be properly centered'tvith thel end-face ofthe billet, and means for moving said guiding means either upwardly. or laterally i11 accordance With-the height and width of the billet.`

2.. Tiheaonaratus of. Claim4 1 inw-bieb Seid. guiding means, includes a bell -mouthed member laterally adjustable billet engaging members adapted. to enact with, the. upright side faces of. theA bil et, and. a. member adapted. toA ccact with the top face ostile-billet, andfnieans for simulbers to Suit billets.of.A different sizes. so. that the face cf. the billet..

Eile-apparatus o claim-.1 in which said guide.

stamps. will be properly. centered with the end members pesi nedV for engagement the Opposite unritiht Side faces. and: the.` top g -cn operatingniernber and 'Celui-faction for s h... ine ali said eil-ide.-

.atus or claim l in which SE1-id guiding` means comprises a. pair oispaced apart upright flange guide members, each'oi saidange .members-beine pivotally mounted on an upright shaft, said angemem-bers; being adapted. to engagethe opposite upright. racesA of the billet,l aguide wheel.membcrrotatably mountedon ashaft positioned; atV rig-htgangles to and spaced from the shafts bearing; said; iiange member-a the.

commonv operai-ina lever. SecuredA toA a Shaft which; carries said. guide, Wheel member, gearing conv nesting said last named; shaft; with Said fianse mem-bers, and means for locking. said. operating lever diienentpositions-to set. the4 flange guide.

, commises-f respective niv-Qtallv mountmembers and the wheel guide member for coaction with dierent sizes of billets.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a conveyor, a unit carrying stamps adapted to impress identifying characters in the end face of a billet on said conveyor, means for supporting said unit with freedom for vertical and horizontal movement, guiding means forming part of said unit for centering said unit relative to the free end of said billet, means for moving said guiding means either upwardly or laterally in accordance with the height and width of the billet, said unit including a pivotally mounted stamp carrier and pivotally mounted stamp actuating hammers, power means including a fluid actuated piston for actuating said carrier and hammers, a valve controlling the movements oi said piston, and a movably mounted member actuated by a billet being propelled by the conveyor effective to actuate said valve.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a conveyor, a unit carrying stamps adapted to impress identifying characters in the end face of a billet, means for supporting said unit with freedom for either vertical or lateral horizontal movement, guiding means forming part of said unit for centering said unit relative to the free end of said billet, means for moving said guiding means either upwardly or laterally in accordance with the height and width of the billet, said unit including a pivotally mounted stamp carrier and pivotally mounted stamp actuating hammers, power means for actuating said carrier and hammers, said power means including a iluid actuated piston, a valve controlling the movements of said piston, a slipper hung from a pivotal support, means for locking said latter in various positions of vertical adjustment to suit different sizes of billets, and connections between said slipper and said valve for actuating the latter each time a billet propelled by the conveyor engages the slipper.

7. A billet marking apparatus comprisingr means for propelling a billet endwise, a xed framework including a vertically slotted member, a stamping unit including a floating guide frame suspended from overhead links having a shock absorbing means interposed between them and said fixed framework, said guide frame carrying vertically spaced shafts having thereon rollers which are guided in the slots of said slotted member, a stamp carrier and a plurality of hammers pivotally hung from one of said spaced shafts, a crank portion on said carrier having a crank pin, power means operatively connected with said crank pin for rocking said stamp carrier about the axis of the one of said shafts from which said carrier is hung, a stamp holder pivotally supported adjacent the free end of said carrier and carrying a plurality of stamps arranged to be actuated by said hammers, billet engaging guide means carried by said iloating guide frame, and means for shifting the position of the iloating guide frame to thus locate the stamps for proper coaction with central region of the end face of a travelling billet regardless of crookedness thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said guide means are adjustable and connected to means for locking them in different positions for coaction with different sizes of billets.

9. A billet marking apparatus of the character described, comprising a pivotally mounted stamp carrier having a holder pivoted adjacent the free end thereof carrying a plurality of stamps which are slidably mounted therein, coacting stop means on the carrier and holder preventing overturning of the latter, and a plurality of hammers mounted for independent swinging movement about a common pivotal member, each hammer being arranged to strike an individual yblow to one of said stamps so as to insure that they all make an imprint of substantially the same depth in the end face of the billet regardless of irregularities present in said end face.

10. A billet marking apparatus of the character described, comprising a pivotally mounted stamp carrier having a holder pivoted adjacent the free end thereof carrying a plurality of stamps which are slidably mounted therein, stop means preventing overturning of said holder, a plurality of hammers mounted for independent swinging movement about a common pivotal member, each hammer being arranged to strike an individual blow to one of said stamps, the edge face at free end of each of said hammers being concaved, and the inner end of each stamp having a convex portion for coaction with the concave edged face of one of said hammers so that each of the latter will impart a substantially square blow to each stamp regardless of the angular position to which said holder may turn about its pivoted connection to said carrier due to the variations of angular disposition of the end face of the billet acted upon by said stamps.

11. In a billet marking apparatus, an overhead iixed support, cushioning means reacting thereon, linkage connected to said cushioning means, a floating guide frame suspended from said linkage, a stamp carrier and a plurality of hammers pivotally mounted on a common shaft carried by said frame, said hammers being adapted to actuate the stamps in said stamp carrier, means guiding said frame in its substantially vertical movements, a bell-mouthed guide forming part of said frame having walls converging in lthe direction of travel of the billets to be marked, pivoted side guides at the exit end of said bellmouthed guide, a billet engaging roller adjustably mounted on a top portion of said bell-mouthed guide, and means for simultaneously shifting said pivoted guides and said roller so as to position them for proper coaction with billets of diierent sizes to be marked.

LAWRENCE A. DAILEY. ERNEST A. ERICKSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 443,119 Slick Dec. 23, 1890 1,042,210 Ferriss Oct. 22, 1912 1,288,082 McDonough Dec. 17, 1918 1,548,954 Pasinski Aug. 11, 1925 1,599,461 Dinkelman Sept. 14, 1926 1,978,898 Ford Oct. 30, 1934 2,290,827 Thomas July` 21, 1942 2,348,566 Papazian May 9, 1944 2,418,165 Dietrich Apr. 1, 1947 2,418,213 Winterkamp Apr. 1, 1947 2,503,504 Meyer Apr. 11, 1950 

